Big man Emeka Okafor, 35, is returning to the NBA for the first time since 2013, finalizing a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, reports Shams Charnia of Yahoo Sports: Sources: Former No. 2 overall pick Emeka Okafor is finalizing a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Okafor has played for G League Delaware […]

Sources: Former No. 2 overall pick Emeka Okafor is finalizing a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Okafor has played for G League Delaware this season, returns to NBA after injuries sidelined him in 2013.

In nine NBA seasons, Okafor made stops in Charlotte, New Orleans, and Washington, posting career numbers of 12.3 points and 9.9 rebounds before a herniated disc sidelined him. With G League Delaware, he has averaged 6.8 points and 8.0 rebounds in 19 minutes per game.

Jeff Schwartz, who represents Emeka Okafor, says his client is looking to join a “contending” NBA team early in 2017. Okafor, 33, last hooped for the Washington Wizards in 2012-13, before a herniated disc sidelined him. The former No. 2 overall pick averaged 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 26 minutes a game during his last […]

Okafor, 33, last hooped for the Washington Wizards in 2012-13, before a herniated disc sidelined him.

The former No. 2 overall pick averaged 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 26 minutes a game during his last stint.

Per ESPN:

“He’s probably five or six months away,” Schwartz said. “He’s been working hard rehabbing. For some guys that means one thing. To Emeka, who understands his body as well or better than some trainers that have worked with him, it means something else. He’s healthy. He feels great, but he’s a perfectionist, and he wants everything to be right.”

But Okafor, who had back surgery in college, struggled with neck pain, and when doctors discovered he had herniated the C4 cervical disc, the injury forced him to step away from the game. In October 2013, Okafor and his expiring $14.5 million contract were dealt to Phoenix in a five-player swap that netted the Wizards center Marcin Gortat. Okafor never played a game for the Suns. […] His best years were with the Charlotte Bobcats, the team that drafted him as the second pick after Dwight Howard in the 2004 draft. Okafor averaged 15.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as a rookie and posted double-double averages in all five of his seasons in Charlotte.

Retired University of Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said he spoke with Okafor last week. According to Calhoun, his former player, who helped UConn win a national championship in 2004 (while leading the nation in blocks), is “really excited about getting back.” […] “He’s in great shape,” Calhoun said. “He had offers last season from teams for $6-7 million to play just a portion of the season, but you have to know Emeka. He’s only coming back when he feels the time is right. He’s not going to make a decision based on money. He doesn’t need it. This is a kid who graduated with a 3.9 GPA. He wants to play a couple more years then go to business school at Harvard. He’s only going to play for a contending team.”

A trade for Okafor’s expiring deal would not save the Lakers as much as a deal for (Andrew) Bynum would have, but it would come with undeniable financial benefits. The $4.8 million difference between Gasol’s cap number and Okafor’s would immediately drop the Lakers less than $3 million away from the league’s luxury-tax threshold, meaning one more smaller deal before the Feb. 20 trade deadline could conceivably be enough to take them out of tax territory completely.

It’s usually a no-no to deal with a division rival, but the Suns have quietly stockpiled draft choices and can offer the Lakers a first-rounder in the June draft, considered one of the best in years. The Suns could hold up to four first-round picks this year, depending on the records of past trade partners Minnesota, Indiana and Washington.

Emeka Okafor hasn’t played in 2013-14 due to a neck injury.

Pau Gasol, dealing with a sore right groin, is expected to miss at least one week. The 33-year old has rallied back from early-season struggles with averages of 20.8 points and 11.9 rebounds the last month. Gasol scored 20 or more points in his last 10 games, the longest such streak of his career.

Pau will be a free agent this summer, and is reportedly comfortable with a trade to Phoenix (the Lakers at 16-31 are going nowhere.)

The Suns, continuing to surprise with a 29-18 record, are intrigued by Gasol since they would be acquiring a solid big man for the rest of the year without negatively impacting their flexibility for the future.

It’s Playoffs or bust for the Washington Wizards in ’13-14. So when Emeka Okafor suffered a neck injury last month, leaving the team without a center, general manager Ernie Grunfeld was facing some pressure to do something.

And something Grunfeld did on Friday, pulling the trigger on a trade that sends Marcin Gortat from the Phoenix Suns for Okafor’s expiring contract and a top-12 protected 2014 first-round pick. The Wizards also received Shannon Brown, Malcolm Lee and Kendall Marshall, who are expected to be waived immediately.

Per the Washington Post:

“The Washington Wizards announced Friday evening that they have traded center Emeka Okafor and a protected 2014 first-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for center Marcin Gortat.

“The Suns will also send guards Shannon Brown, Malcolm Lee and Kendall Marshall to the Wizards. Washington is expected to release Brown, Lee and Marshall, a former standout at Bishop O’Connell in Arlington. The draft pick is protected through the No. 12 selection.

“Okafor has missed training camp and is out indefinitely with a herniated disk in his neck. He averaged 9.7 points and a team-best 8.8 rebounds in 79 games last season and was hailed for bringing a professional, workmanlike attitude to the Wizards. Okafor is in the final year of a deal that will pay him $14.5 million this season.”

The Suns now have four potential first-round picks in next June’s Draft—their own, Washington’s, Minnesota’s and Indiana’s.

The Wizards can’t catch a break. On the same day that Chris Singleton was given a 6-8 week timetable for a recent foot injury, Washington has announced that big man Emeka Okafor has a herniated disc in his neck and will be out indefinitely.

From the team’s press release:

“Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that center Emeka Okafor will be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a herniated C4 cervical disc. ‘I have worked hard over the summer and was looking forward to the start of training camp next week, so this is a disappointing and frustrating situation for me,’ said Okafor. ‘But I have confidence that my teammates and coaches will be able to continue to take steps towards our goal of making the playoffs and that I will be able to do my part to help them once I return.’ After consulting with several specialists and the team doctors, Okafor will begin rehabilitation to reduce the inflammation and correct the injury. The herniated disc was originally revealed through an MRI after Okafor experienced discomfort in his neck. ‘Emeka’s professionalism and dedication to taking care of his body are among the best I have ever seen during my time in this league as a player, coach and executive and I know that he will be diligent in his efforts to return to the court as soon as possible,’ said Grunfeld. ‘Until then, his absence will create opportunities for other players to step up and provide the rebounding and defense that Emeka normally contributes.’ Okafor averaged 9.7 points and 8.8 rebounds in 79 games for the Wizards last season. He missed two games due to the flu and the final game of the season with a sprained right ankle.”

There are rumblings that Chicago and Washington have had exploratory talks involving forward Luol Deng and the number 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Per ESPN: “The most likely trade construction, if talks were to progress to the serious stage, would send Deng to the Wizards for the No. 3 pick and center Emeka Okafor, who would have to formally opt into his contract for next season ($14.5 million) this week for the trade to go through. Yet it’s worth noting that Cleveland, sources say, has interest in Deng as well … and there will surely be other potential trade partners to surface if the Bulls decide they’re legitimately ready to part with Deng after years of flirting with the idea.”

With last night’s win over the Bulls, the Pacers are now tied with Chicago for first place in the Central Division. The final deficit was only ten but it wasn’t even that close for much of the second half as the Pacers dominated. Indiana went on a 15-4 third quarter run that gave them a 12-point lead with 4:13 left to go. The Bulls didn’t get closer than four the rest of the game as Indiana won their third straight overall and 14th straight game at home. David West beasted with 29 points and 9 boards, Paul George finished with 21 points, 11 boards, 5 dimes 2 steals and 2 blocks while George Hill chipped in with 22 points and 6 dimes. Marco Belinelli led the Bulls with a season-high 24 points off the bench while Kirk Hinrich and Joakim Noah looked on with injuries.

The Magic scored a pitiful 61 points on 33.8 percent shooting to lose their tenth straight game. In their defense, the Magic played without JJ Redick, Arron Afflalo, Jameer Nelson, Dequan Jones, Big Baby Davis and Al Harrington who were all hurt. The Sixers led by as many as 20 and were led to their third straight victory by Spencer Hawes’ 21 points and 14 rebounds and Jrue Holiday’s 13 points and 14 dimes. E’Twaun Moore scored 18 and Nik Vucevic grabbed 14 boards in the loss.

Already missing Chris Paul with a knee injury, the Clips were dealt another blow when Blake Griffin was scratched from the lineup right before tip-off with a hamstring injury. The injury ended his streak of 197 consecutive games played. The Wizards showed no sympathy to a depleted Clippers team and pulled off a big victory in front of their ecstatic home crowd. Nene (15 points, 7 boards) helped trigger a late 7-0 run that carried the Wizards to victory. First Nene grabbed his own rebound after missing a free throw to set up a Trevor Ariza 3-pointer. Then he grabbed another offensive rebound on the next possession and found Garrett Temple (15 points) for a jumper that put the Wiz up eight and the game out of reach. Martell Webster scored 21 and John Wall finished with 13 points and 8 dimes. Jamal Crawford scored 28 off the bench, Eric Bledsoe finished with 17 points and 9 assists and DeAndre Jordan snatched a career-high 22 boards. Each game the Clippers lose with CP3 on the bench only boosts his MVP case but also makes me wonder if the so-called “great” coaching job by Vinny Del Negro was a mirage.

The Knicks continue to beat up on their current stretch of weak opponents, this time with an easy 14-point dub over Detroit. New York started the game with a 16-4 run and continued to pour it on, leading by 21 at the half. Carmelo Anthony scored 27 and grabbed 7 boards, STAT scored 20 off the bench and Tyson Chandler grabbed 20 boards for the third straight game–the first Knick to do so since Willis Reed. New Piston Jose Calderon led the team in scoring with 15 points and Greg Monroe scored 13, grabbed 10 boards and blocked 3 shots.

The Bobcats gave the Heat everything they had but Miami proved to be too strong down the stretch as Charlotte’s miserable season rolls on. Charlotte led the Heat 74-73 with 7:45 left but Miami finally got it together and ripped off an 8-0 run to take the lead for good. LeBron shot 13-14 from the field to finish with 31 points. He also dropped 8 dimes, grabbed 8 boards and had 2 steals–this dude is seriously unreal. Chris Bosh scored 23 points and Dwyane Wade chipped in with 20 points and 12 boards. Ramon Sessions led the Bobcats with 18 points and Ben Gordon scored 16.

Russ Westbrook dropped 24 and 7 dimes, KD scored 24 and grabbed 10 boards and the Thunder smacked around the Mavs in Oklahoma City. OKC led by as many as 33, were up by at least 20 points throughout the second half and rested their starters in the fourth. Shawn Marion led Dallas with 23 points and 3 steals.

The Blazers led wire-to-wire but nearly let this one slip away in game one of their six-game road trip. With time running down, Ricky Rubio swung the ball to Dante Cunningham. Cunningham, who scored a career-high 23 points, pump faked, took one dribble and launched a 19-foot jump shot that missed everything–a play that pretty much sums up the Wolves season. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points and grabbed 13 boards, Wes Matthews scored 22 and Dame Lillard dropped 21 and 6 dimes. Ricky Rubio had the best game of his injury-riddled season with 15 points and 14 dimes (including 10 in the fourth quarter) and J.J. Barea chipped in with 17 off the bench.

Up 82-75 with four and a half minutes remaining, the Kings showed their youth and squandered the lead, eventually losing in overtime to the home team Jazz. Utah went on an 8-0 run to take a one-point lead with 2:40 left. The Kings hit two free throws to tie it up at 84 and Reke Evans (20 points) had a shot to win it but his three-pointer with 16 seconds left missed the mark. Al Jefferson’s (15 points, 12 boards) three at the buzzer missed and some free basketball went down in Utah. In the extra session, Randy Foye (20 points, 6 assists) scored six points to lead the Jazz to a victory. Alec Burks scored a season-high 14 points for the Jazz and Derrick Favors finished with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Jason Thompson scored 23 points and grabbed 10 boards and DeMarcus Cousins scored 10 and grabbed 6 boards before being ejected at halftime.

Washington Wizards fans were understandably excited about their team finally winning a game after twelve consecutive defeats. One of them got a bit too jazzed up, and nearly tumbled out of the stands. Wizards forward Emeka Okafor helped the guy avoid injury. Per the WaPo: “As Emeka Okafor left the court following the Wizards’ win over the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night — in which he made the winning free throws — he distributed the usual high-fives to the fans dangling their hands over the railings that line the players’ tunnel at Verizon Center. One fan overreached and began to tumble over the partition about eight feet above the floor. ‘I was just so excited about the first win of the season that I leaned over too far,’ said the fan, who declined to be named out of embarrassment. ‘I didn’t realize [Okafor] was too far away.’ The fan was able to grab onto the outside of the railing, but found himself upside down and losing his grip. Okafor, who was acquired in part due to his veteran smarts, reacted quickly. ‘He was falling over and I saw the guy,’ Okafor said of the incident. ‘He was smiling the whole time. Before I got there he had stopped himself. I just helped put him back into the stands.’ The flustered fan’s friends began to shout, ‘Emeka Okafor just saved your life!’ An exaggeration, perhaps, but the Wizards big man may have saved him from a potential hospital visit. ‘He was over [the railing] but he had a huge smile on his face. He had absolutely no awareness of the danger he was in,’ Okafor said with a laugh. ‘That’s a first for me. I haven’t seen that before.'”

According toDraft Express (and other media outlets), the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets have swapped players in a trade involving Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis and a Draft Pick: “NBA source tells me Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza have been traded to the Washington Wizards for Rashard Lewis and the #46 pick … Rashard Lewis’ 23.8 million dollar contract can be bought out for 13.7 million before July 1st. Trade saves New Orleans around 30 million? New Orleans now has unlimited cap space, in addition to the #1 pick, the #10 pick, and Eric Gordon. Not a bad time to be a Hornets fan. “

Hornets GM Dell Demps told the Times Picayune that he’d be open to trading either Emeka Okafor or Trevor Ariza, along with the Hornets’ 10th pick, to dump salary and possibly pursue veteran free agents: “Although the upcoming NBA draft is deep in talent, Hornets General Manager Dell Demps hasn’t ruled out the possibility of trading the team’s second lottery pick. ‘Yes, we will if it makes sense,’’ said Demps. The Hornets have the 10th pick in the draft June 28, as well as the No. 1 overall selection, which the team is expected use on Kentucky power forward Anthony Davis. ‘There’s been some teams that have put young guys around a top pick,’ Demps said. ‘Some of the other teams have put veterans around the pick. Some have been successful both ways. I think we’re just going to look at what is best for our situation.’ To improve the roster around Davis, the Hornets could try to explore a deal that would include trading either center Emeka Okafor or small forward Trevor Ariza, along with the 10th pick. That would clear salary cap space to possibly pursue more veteran help in free agency.”

Last night, 10 games and countless players brought us an insane night of hoops. From Tim Duncan‘s game-winner to KD and Russ West abusing the competition to Memphis’ wild comeback, roll through the gallery above to take a look at Monday’s best 20 plays.

Thomas‘ bow to Emeka Okafor‘s noggin did not sit well with the folks at NBA HQ, and now he’s been suspended for today’s game: “Tyrus Thomas of the Charlotte Bobcats has been suspended one game without pay for his Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two against Emeka Okafor of the New Orleans Hornets, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations. The incident, in which Thomas made elbow contact to Okafor’s head and was ejected following the Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two call, occurred with 2:38 remaining in the 4th period of the Bobcats 88-81 loss on Saturday to the New Orleans Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.”

The New Orleans Hornets are reportedly ready to throw in the towel this season. With the head coach looking for new work, and the superstar point guard injured and unhappy, management in N.O. figures it’s time for change.

And by “change”, I mean they want to save themselves a buck by shipping their expensive, and newly acquired power forward out of town for an expiring contract.

A source with knowledge of the situation says the Kings are discussing a trade with New Orleans that would send Kenny Thomas to the Hornets and bring center Emeka Okafor to Sacramento.

The deal would be ideal for the Hornets, as Thomas’ expiring contract worth $8.7 million is just the kind of contract that would trim their enormous payroll. The question, of course, is whether the Kings see Okafor as a big man solution worth the five years and $62.5 million left on his deal.

As the linked article points out, no deal is imminent. Both sides are just feeling each other out at this point. But for the discussion to even be taking place, makes Hornet management’s outlook crystal clear.

Bet you didn’t expect the late night matchup between the Kings and Grizz to be the game of the week, did you? I was amped to watch Ivy, always love watching Mayo and of course, wanted to check out Tzvi’s boy, Casspi. Didn’t know what I was in for until the Grizz were saved in regulation by Zach Randolph -of of all people– forcing overtime. While the entire fourth was a back and forth seesaw, the Kings broke away in the extra session, particularly when Randolph picked up his sixth foul and was sent to the bench, outscoring the Grizz 17-6 in the extra session.

Kevin Martin was fantastic, scoring 48 points on 14-of-27 field goals. Spencer Hawes had 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists off of the bench and Beno Udrih added 16 as the Kings bench more than made up for their starting five outside of Martin, who managed just 12 points combined.

The Grizzlies wasted a 30-point, 16-rebound effort from Randolph as Marc Gasol had 16 points and 16 boards, Gay added 21 points and 13 rebounds and Mayo had 22.

Bizarro stat of the night: The Kings won despite being outrebounded 57-44, but they also had 14 made three-pointers to the Grizzlies four.

Crazy game and I just didn’t want it to end.

While this one was going into overtime, the Clippers managed to win their first game of the season, picking up a 93-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves that came down to Corey Brewer taking a rushed three and missing. Al Jefferson had 24 points to lead the Wolves while Chris Kaman led the Clippers with 25 points and 11 rebounds while Eric Gordon had 17.

With those two games being so great, it was almost possible to pretend that the NJ Nets and Charlotte game didn’t even happen. With the Bobcats having eight made field goals in the entire first half and the New Jersey managing to score just NINE points in the entire third quarter, it wasn’t a pretty one. The Bobcats somehow managed to win 79-68, but that only happened thanks to a 24-0 run as the Nets forgot how to play basketball and went more than 11 minutes without a field goal. It was so very ugly.

The positive? There were so many clanged shots, Gerald Wallace ended up with a 24-point, 20-rebound performance for his fantasy owners.

The Knicks put in another 40-point fourth quarter, outscoring the New Orleans Hornets by 10 in the final period to take the 117-111 victory at home last night. Chris Paul had 32 points and 13 assists, Emeka Okafor scored 24 points to go with 10 rebounds and David West added 21, but it wasn’t enough to combat the 28 points from David Lee, 24 from Al Harrington, 20 from Larry Hughes and 18-point, nine assist night from Chris Duhon.

Just one game after my guy Trevor Ariza had a career-night, the Rockets pulled out another victory, this time against the Utah Jazz. It was Aaron Brooks to step up last night with 19 points and nine assists, but the Rockets had eight players reach double figures. Impressive for a team missing so many pieces. Luis Scola added 14 points and 15 boards and rookie Chase Budinger had 17 off of the bench. Mehmet Okur led the Jazz with 21, Ronnie Brewer scored 19, Andrei Kirilenko added 18 as did Deron Williams who had the saddest face of life while sitting on the bench watching the clock run out.

It’s only early, yes, but we are officially one week into the young NBA season. Love it.

Emeka has no hard feelings about leaving Charlotte, and says he misses Larry Brown: “He’s excited about joining the Hornets, knowing this just about assures him a playoff appearance next spring. But he wishes he’d had more time playing for Bobcats coach Larry Brown. ‘A great teacher, a great coach,’ Okafor said. ‘I regret only having one year with him.'”

Here’s Chris Paul on Tyson Chandler’s departure: “New Orleans Hornets superstar point guard Chris Paul, speaking during a break at his basketball camp Tuesday at Tulane, said he has mixed emotions about the Hornets trading Tyson Chandler to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor. ‘I’m missing a great friend,’ Paul said. ‘A brother. TC was my man. Not just during the basketball season; his wife, his kids, his in-laws, he was somebody I could talk to about anything and he made me a better player.’ But Paul said ‘it’s over and done with now. I’m excited by Emeka getting here. He brings that shot-blocking presence and he’s got the ability to make post moves.'”

According to numerous reports, the Charlotte Bobcats and New Orleans Hornets have agreed in principle to swap big men. Tyson Chandler is headed to Charlotte, and a previously unhappy Chris Paul gets a double-double machine in Emeka Okafor.

What’s shocking to most, is that cash-strapped New Orleans was willing to take on Okafor’s rather large contract (Emeka inked a 6-year, $72 million deal last summer). The Bobcats, meanwhile, will get some cap relief after the 2010-’11 season, when Chandler’s current deal runs out.

Basketball wise, the Hornets are the clear winners in this swap, adding a rock-solid low post presence to a team that won 49 games last season in the brutal West can only improve things for Chris Paul and company.

It certainly won’t bring a championship to New Orleans, but it’s a message to their superstar (and the fans) that the team isn’t sitting on its hands while everyone else loads up; they’re at the very least attempting to remain competitive.

Interestingly, Gerald Wallace is now the only Bobcat left over from the expansion season. I’m sure that makes him feel just wonderful.

AP says the Cats and the Hornets are close to “finalizing a trade.” The Worldwide Leader says News Orleans and Charlotte are in “advanced discussions” about swapping centers. At least two “anonymous” sources back up the reports. Early word about this summer blockbuster seems promising, yet we’re not removing the question mark from the title of this post.

It’s not that we’re afraid. Ha! Whoever suggested that?! We would remove the question mark in a quick step if it wasn’t Tyson Chandler’s pesky big toe we’re talking about.

The New Orleans Hornets are talking to the Charlotte Bobcats about a possible trade that includes Hornets center Tyson Chandler, according to league sources.

The deal calls for the Hornets to trade Chandler for Charlotte center Emeka Okafor.

Work the logistics out on this one for us because it doesn’t make sense for the Hornets. Oak and T-Chandler make similar bank for the next two years, but Okafor is locked in like a vice for four additional seasons. If the Chandler experiment doesn’t work in Charlotte, at least they’ll have an opportunity to start fresh in 2011.

There has to be something/someone else coming from the Charlotteans to sweeten this deal, right? The Hornets would be wise to measure this move carefully. Not only does it affect the team, long-term but, more importantly, it affects Chris Paul’s future as well.

Fresh out of college and off of a national championship victory, Emeka Okafor was given the difficult honor of being the expansion Charlotte Bobcat’s first ever draft pick. Having averaged double figures in boards every year, the big man has shown that his presence in the locker room and on the court will be key in raising the Bobcats up from the depths to respectability.—Adam Fleischer